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Afraid of a mouse?

There are some things that might cause us to shriek, scream or scurry out of the way when we come in close contact with. As a little girl living in the country with open fields behind our home; it was normal for these critters to appear anywhere. The open fields were playing ground for one of my childhood fears… you guessed it… mice! I’m not sure why I was afraid of them? They were tiny. Harmless. Something about them just caused my skin to crawl. They could be annoying like when you are sitting on the couch trying to watch a movie and hear little scratching noises. Begin searching and trying to figure out where the noise is coming from. Also the droppings they leave behind. Eew Gross! Just being totally honest here.

Little contraptions were set up in our home with slices of cheese placed under the sink and cabinets to lure the little suckers into the trap. Hoping to show them this is not the home they want to enter. Spread the word to all your little mouseketeers to stay out or the trap will get you too. Hearing the snap of the trap always meant another one was captured. Then the smell. Oh my goodness the smell. Ok, enough about that.

I’m not sure why the fear of mice began at such a young age for me. It wasn’t a fear of spiders, snakes or anything else. Only a harmless mouse. I could watch movies like American Tale and of course Mickey Mouse that didn’t weird me out, but seeing them up close in personal was just too much for me. As I grew up and learned to face my fears, this was one that was a little hard for me to shake. I would always turn my head at the pet store and not ever want to glance in the direction of the hamsters and mice. No thank you. I am fine over here where they are as far away from me as possible.

One day I was outside on our patio and just enjoying the moment. I had my little 15 month old boy in my arms and we were singing a happy song. He was giggling and laughing in his cute little way. All of a sudden something scurried in front of my feet. I jumped, screamed and began tip toeing all around. A tiny mouse had ran past the patio behind the flower pot and hid. I wish there could have been a camera to capture the moment. Here I was, baby in hand, dancing like a crazy lady because of some silly mouse!! They were clearing out some property behind us and apparantly caused some of the critters to lose their home so they were on the lookout for a new place to stay.

Something arose inside of me at that instant. Courage. I had just been praying for the new adventure we were beginning that very day!

I began to speak loudly, look here you silly little mouse. I am not afraid of you. You hear that! I am NOT AFRAID of you! I walked closer and closer to the flower pot and my sweet little Logan was looking at me wondering what on earth his mommy was doing. Here I was holding my baby, looking at this mouse as if it was a threat to me. It was tiny. It could not hurt me. It was something in my mind that was playing tricks on me. No more! Not in my territory. Not where I live. No more will I be afraid of a mouse!

As I was very pointedly telling this mouse that I was not afraid of it, nor would I be afraid of any other mouse in the future. Something inside me began to fill up more and more with courage. I remember saying today is our VERY FIRST DAY of Embrace Grace! Today is the day! Helping mommies and babies. A little mouse is no cause for fear. That very moment a fear was faced head on. Instantly the fear of a mouse was gone!

I reflect back upon that instance sometimes and I can’t help but laugh at the sight and scene that played out that day. Honestly the fear of a mouse wasn’t the only fear that was faced at that moment. There was also a fear of how all of this was going to work out. This was new territory for us. Are the Embrace Grace girls going to like us? We have never taught before or led a group before. This is our very first time. Will we be able to serve, support, give, teach and share the love and grace with them in the best way possible? Can we do this? In all of those questions and anxious fears the answer was YES because God was with us every moment. Never once were we alone. He guides us every step of the way. All the way! I am being real and transparent with you of the feelings that crossed my mind that very first day. I was so full of excitement and anticipation of meeting our EG girls and their babies on the way for the very first time. Excited for all that God was going to pour into their lives and ours during the delivery of His love and grace.

There are times when you must face your fear head on. It is in those moments that you are given a choice. Let your faith be bigger than your fear. Allow that courage to rise up inside of you. Speak to that thing that is causing you to fear. No matter if its a mouse, giant, some other kind of monster or a mountain to face. We have the choice to let that fear overtake us or choose to allow God to speak into our lives and reassure us He is with us. Always and Forever. We can quote His life giving words over and over again and let that fear fizzle out and become so faint and far away from us. The fear will flee!

He whispers in my ear, tells me that I’m fearless~ All He Says I am by Cody Carnes

God is present among you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t despair. Your God is present among you. A strong warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back. He’ll calm you with his love and delight you with His songs. Zephaniah 3:16-17

I bless God every chance I get. My lungs expand with His praise. Psalm 34:1

Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out. God met me more than halfway. He freed me from my anxious fears. Psalm 34:4 MSG

God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. Psalm 34:9

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you. Do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13